US Department of Labor extends deadline for career videos challenge

Public invited to submit brief videos for chance to win $1,000

WASHINGTON  The U.S. Department of Labor has extended the deadline for its Career Videos for America’s Job Seekers Challenge to allow submissions as late as Monday, Nov. 1. The challenge invites members of the public to produce and submit one- to three-minute videos focusing on the daily activities of 15 high-wage and in-demand occupations. This competition is intended to provide greater visibility for selected occupations and thereby increase the number of workers seeking training and placement in those areas. The creator(s) of the top video in each of the 15 categories will win a $1,000 cash prize.

“Videos submitted through this competition will provide real life insights into the jobs of today and tomorrow for those who are exploring new career options,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

The competition, already underway, is occurring in the following four phases:

Phase One (May 10 to Nov. 1, 2010): Members of the public can submit their occupational videos in 15 categories representing the selected occupations. To review the list and rules for the video challenge, visit http://www.dol.gov/dol/videochallenge.htm.

Phase Two (Nov. 2 to19, 2010): The Labor Department will screen and review all submissions, identify the top three videos in each occupation and post those online for public review.

Phase Three (Nov. 22 to Dec. 31, 2010): The public will be able to comment on the submissions, which will determine the top video in each occupational category.

Phase Four (Jan. 3 to14, 2011): The Labor Department will share the top videos with the workforce development community and job seekers by posting an announcement of the top ranking videos on key websites such as http://www.dol.gov and http://careeronestop.org. The results also will be shared with national and intergovernmental organizations such as the National Association of State Workforce Agencies and the National Association of Workforce Boards.